World Cup Nines: Raider Watch

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With the World Cup Nines taking place at Bankwest Stadium. There will be plenty of players from the green machine to keep an eye on and support during the tournament.

Men’s Squads:

Australia: N/A

Cook Islands: N/A

England: Ryan Sutton, Elliott Whitehead & George Williams.

The Raiders will be well represented by the red and white at the World Cup Nines. Forwards Elliott Whitehead and Ryan Sutton will link up with new signing George Williams. The Nines will be the first chance that Raiders fans will get to see of the former Wigan Warrior who plays in the halves. England kicks off their campaign against Wales on Friday night followed by matches against Lebanon and France on Saturday before the possibility of finals.

George Williams Highlights

Fiji: Semi Valemei.

A name that not many Raiders fans will be familiar with, however, you soon could be! Exciting young winger Semi Valemei scored three tries in the first half of the Raiders Jersey Flegg Grand Final defeat to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in late September. Valemei scored nine tries in 17 appearances for Ash Barnes’ side this season. Fiji takes on Samoa on Friday night followed by matches against the Cook Islands and the Tonga invitational side on Saturday before the possibility of finals.

The Kiwis have an impressive line up boasting plenty of speed and skill. Raiders trio Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joe Tapine and Bailey Simonsson will arguably be some of the most exciting players to watch at the tournament. CNK burst onto the scene in 2019 for the green machine, dazzling fans with his acceleration and illusive runs. Tapine showed some strong form for the Raiders towards the back end of the season as he slotted into lock. Simonsson will be well suited to the Nines format. The 2019 Raiders rookie of the year winner joined the club from the All Blacks sevens rugby program and has scored eight tries in 21 appearances in his first season in the NRL.

Highlights: Best of CNK in 2019

Papua New Guinea: N/A

Samoa: Joey Leilua

Leilua headlines a Samoan side that contains plenty of speed, skill, and power. Leilua has the ability to keep other teams guessing and can unlock other sides with a flick pass or by bursting through the opposition’s defensive line.